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VAPE possession or use

VAPE POSSESSION AND/OR USE: See letter attached.

ECI Consequences are as follows:

1st Offense – 3 days of OSS and parent contact

2nd Offense – 5 days of OSS and parent contact

3rd Offense – 10 days of OSS pending tribunal   

 

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students:

The Emanuel County School District is committed to the health, safety, and welfare of its students. The District recognizes that the use of vapes, vaporizers, e-cigarettes, or other devices used to inhale vapor by means of an electronic device (“vaping”) is harmful to the health of students and the good order of the School District. Out of concern for the health and welfare of our students, Emanuel County Schools has adopted a specific protocol for addressing the nationwide epidemic that is currently plaguing schools around the country. Vaping and e-cigarettes pose a significant health risk to our students; therefore, the following violation has been added to the middle and high school code of conduct. It will be a violation of the Emanuel County Discipline Code to possess, use or transfer a vape as provided below.

 

Definition:

Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling the aerosol, often referred to as vapor, which is produced by an e-cigarette or similar device. The term is used because e-cigarettes do not produce tobacco smoke, but rather an aerosol, often mistaken for water vapor, that actually consists of fine particles.

Vaping requires the use of a purpose-made or homemade device that vaporizes oil that may contain flavoring, nicotine, Cannabidiol (“CBD”) oil of varying concentrations, tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”) oil of varying concentrations, or other substances that may or may not be legal to possess (“vape”). A vaping device is generally composed of a vaporizer, battery, reservoir for smoking oil, and a battery charger. By way of example and not as a limitation, vaping devices may be called vapes, Juuls, e-cigarettes, e-cigs, dab pens or other brand names.

  • Cannabis. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the two primary cannabinoids that occur naturally in the cannabis sativa plant.
  • CBD Oil. CBD oil is derived from a cannabis plant called hemp. Hemp contains a very high concentration of CBD and less than .3% by volume of THC.
  • Low-THC Oil. Low-THC oil is derived from the cannabis plant that produces marijuana. Low-THC oil contains no more than 5% by volume of THC and may only be possessed or used under a doctor’s supervision with a prescription. Possession of Low-THC oil without a valid prescription is a felony.
  • THC Oil. THC oil is derived from the cannabis plant and contains more than 5% by volume of THC.
  • Some THC oil may contain up to 98% by volume of THC (3 - 5 times stronger than typical marijuana).
  • Possession of THC oil is a felony.
  • Vape. A vape is a purpose-made or homemade device that electronically vaporizes liquid to allow a user to inhale the vapor created in the lungs (i.e. vapes, juuls, e-cigarette, e-cig, dab pen, vape sticks, etc.)
  • Vape will include individually or together vape battery(ies), reservoir(s), vaporizer(s), and/or vape charger(s).

Vape Juice. Vape juice is a slang term for the liquid used by the vaporizer to create vapor. Vape juice may contain flavored juice, CBD oil, Low THC oil or THC oil. Students in possession of vapes or other electronic smoking devices (42) will be addressed using the matrix below. When such a device contains THC, synthetic THC, CBD or other drug, as outlined above, the discipline will be classified as a drug offense (07) and appropriate discipline will be administered following the matrix below.

Vape consequences chart

Consequences:

In keeping with the District’s approach to progressive discipline, the following consequences will apply to any student in grades 6-12 who is in intentional or unintentional possession of any vaping paraphernalia during any school-sanctioned activity or on any Emanuel County school campus during or outside of normal school hours.

While elementary students are not subject to the 6-12 code of conduct as reflected below, any violation of this code by an elementary-aged student will be treated as a serious violation and disciplined as such by school administration.

 

VAPES/ELECTRONIC SMOKING DEVICE

Students in possession of vapes or other electronic smoking devices will be addressed using the matrix below. When such device contains THC, synthetic THC or other drug the discipline will be classified as a drug offense and appropriate discipline will be administered following the matrix below.

Students in possession or under the influence of a vape that contains THC will be in violation of a Class III Offense that will result in long-term suspension and/or recommendation for an alternative education program.

The aforementioned changes to the Code of Conduct was effective on 8/3/2022. In the event a student is found to be in possession of an illegal substance/drug for use in a vaping device, such will be treated as a separate drug-related offense.

We appreciate your assistance in implementing this new protocol and your understanding in enforcing these consequences in an effort to ensure the welfare of all of our students.